This study was performed to establish the control strategies effectively using Eco-friendly agricultural materials (EFAM) and natural enemy when cultivating autumn-type leaf perilla and to investigate the population densities of seasonal major pests such as Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite, TSSM), Broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus), Aphis egomae, and Pyrausta panopealis. TSSM showed the occurrence in the seedling stage from August to the end of September and controlled using EFAM in the nursery. Broad mites had a low occurrence in October, December, and the following year showed the density of two or more leaves per leaf from February. Aphis egomae was locally prevented around the area of occurrence, and it showed more than five per leaf in October. Pyrausta panopealis seemed to occur from August to September. Aphis egomae is control using high-toxic EFAM before the overwintering and prevents it from using banker plants planted barley in the winter. Pyrausta panopealis is protected by biological pesticides in August registered in the leaf perilla.

Monochamus saltuarius Gebler (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a well-known as vector species of the pine wood nematode (PWN) in the northern areas of South Korea. In 2017, larval parasitoids of M. saltuarius and their parasitism patterns were investigated in Pinus koraiensis forests with consideration of sentinel logs positions (height: 0 m vs. 1.8 m), distances from the edge to the center of the forest (0, 20, 40, 60, 80m), and damage degrees of the pine wilt disease (infested area, buffer area, and uninfested area). In total six of larval parasitoids were collected: Spathius verustus, Sclerodermus harmandi, Cynopterus flavator, Heydenia testacea, Heydenia sp., Braconidae sp. The parasitism rate to larvae of M. saltuarius larvae was not affected by sentinel log positions. However, the parasitism rate was significantly higher in infested areas compared to the buffer and uninfested areas. In the infested area, the parasitism rate was increased with distance from forest edges.

Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii are the species of the family Drosophilidae. Although these two fruit flies are taxonomically close species, D. suzukii is thought to be evolutionally adapted to the flesh or maturing fruits, whereas D. melanogaster is adapted to more fermented environments. According to the previous studies, several environmental toxins, such as acetic acid, ethanol, methanol and phenylacetate, ect., have been identified from rotten fruit and fermentation procedures. Considering the differences of distinct habitat between two flies, D. melanogaster is hypothesized to exhibit higher tolerance to the chemical toxins than D. suzukii. Therefore, in this study, we compared the tolerance and susceptibility of two fruit flies to three chemicals (acetic acid, ethanol, 2-phenlyethano).

In this study, we developed 12 microsatellite markers specific to N. pygmaea using Illumina paired-end sequencing. Forty individuals of N. pygmaea collected from three currently known localities in South Korea were genotyped to validate these markers and to preliminarily assess population genetic characteristics. No locus showed significant deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Our preliminary data indicate an absence of inbreeding in all populations and an absence of obvious genetic difference. The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful for studying the population genetics of N. pygmaea collected from other regions, including additional sites in South Korea.

The Acoptolabrus changeonleei Ishikawa et Kim, 1983 (Coleoptera: Carabidae), has been listed as an endangered insect in South Korea. The complete mitochondrial genome of the species was 16,831 bp with a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one non-coding region, with the arrangement identical to that observed in most insect genomes. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes, using the Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum-likelihood (ML) methods, placed A. changeonleei as a sister to the within-subfamilial species Damaster mirabilissimus in Carabinae, with the highest nodal support by both analyses.

Previously, a partial mitochondrial COI and CytB gene sequences have been used to infer genetic diversity and gene flow of the species. In this study, we additionally collected C. tripartitus from one previous and two new localities, sequenced the COI and CytB genes. Sequence divergence of current samples showed slightly lower values, but nearly equivalent to previous study. Haplotype diversity was still high and nucleotide diversity indicating that Seogwi-dong showed the highest estimates in both gene sequences. Gene flow among populations is high, but a significance difference was detected between Gulupdo and Anmado; and between Gulupdo and Seogwi-dong only in COI sequences (P < 0.05). Considering the high genetic diversity and gene flow in C. tripartitus populations, one of the major issues regarding conservation seems not to be the recovery of genetic diversity as has been suggested before.

Previous phylogenetic results often showed fluctuating positions of Geometroidea in Macroheterocera, particularly from mitochondrial genome (mitogenome)-based analyses. In this study, we sequenced mitogenomes of four geometrid moths to increase taxon diversity for the inference of phylogenetic positions of Geometroidea in Macroheterocera. The general genomic features found in Macroheterocera also were found in the four geometrid moths. Phylogenetic analyses using 71 representative mitogeneome sequences in Macroheterocera yielded the consensus superfamilial relationships (((((Bombycoidea + Lasiocampoidea) + Geometroidea) + Noctuoidea) + Drepanoidea) + Mimallonoidea), confirming the sister relationship of Geometroidea to (Bombycoidea + Lasiocampoidea) in both Bayesian Inference and Maximum-likelihood method.

One species of the genus Schizoprymnus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Helconinae) is reported in this study. The genus Schizoprymnus is a braconid group distributed in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions, which include currently nine species in South Korea. In this study, Schizoprymnus terebralis Snoflk, 1953 is recognized for the first time in South Korea. Descriptions, diagnosis distribution and illustration are provided.

The family Monotomidae Laporte includes about 240 species placed in 33 genera worldwide and five species in three genera have been recorded to date in the Korean Peninsula. Mimemodes Reitter contains 15 species occurring worldwide including nine Palaearctic species, of which five are recorded in Japan. In the Korean Peninsula, the genus and a single species, Mimemodes emmerichi Mader, were first recorded by Kang et al. In the present study, we report an additional Korean species of the genus, namely Mimemodes cribratus (Reitter). We provide a redescription, images of habitus and diagnostic characters of the species along with a key to Korean species of Monotomidae.

This study aimed to identify design factors from the female perspective and then propose the implications for landscape design at the Hengshui Lake Park in Hebei Province, China. The Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) was adopted and 27 attributes from seven categories on women’s preferences in spatial cognitions were selected. Results indicated that among 27 factors, women gave more consideration to waterfront spaces, plant colors, restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, sign boards, warning signs, layered planting, historic landscapes, lighting systems, adult entertainment facilities, children's playgrounds, resting places, and pedestrian roads. Among these attributes, relatively dissatisfied ones are layered planting, warning signs, historic landscapes, lighting systems, adult entertainment facilities, sign boards, children's playgrounds, resting places, and pedestrian roads. For women, reasonable information on security, location, and landscape history should be supplied, and various personal, semi-public, and public spaces should be created using layered planting techniques. Based on women's characteristics of accompanying children, playgrounds and educational spaces on their history and culture should be reformed and upgraded.

N-type porous silicon (PS) layers and thermally oxidized PS layers have been characterized by various measuring techniques such as photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy, IR, HRSEM and transmittance measurements. The top surface of PS layer shows a stronger photoluminescence peak than its bottom part, and this is ascribed to the difference in number of fine silicon particles of 2~3 nm in diameter. Observed characteristics of PL spectra are explained in terms of microstructures in the n-type PS layers. Common features for both p-type and n-type PS layers are as follows: the parts which can emit visible photoluminescence are not amorphous, but crystalline, and such parts are composed of nanocrystallites of several nm’s whose orientations are slightly different from Si substrate, and such fine silicon particles absorb much hydrogen atoms near the surfaces. Light emission is strongly dependent on such fine silicon particles. Photoluminescence is due to charge carrier confinement in such three dimensional structure (sponge-like structure). Characteristics of visible light emission from ntype PS can be explained in terms of modification of band structure accompanied by bandgap widening and localized levels in bandstructure. It is also shown that hydrogen and oxygen atoms existing on residual silicon parts play an important role on emission stability.

Electrochemical properties and performance of composites performed by incorporating metal oxide or metal hydroxide on carbon materials based on graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT) were analyzed. From the surface analysis by field emission scanning electron microscopy and field emission transmission electron microscopy, it was confirmed that graphene, CNT and metal materials are well dispersed in the ternary composites. In addition, structural and elemental analyses of the composite were conducted. The electrochemical characteristics of the ternary composites were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 6 M KOH, or 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte solution. The highest specific capacitance was 1622 F g–1 obtained for NiCo-containing graphene with NiCo ratio of 2 to 1 (GNiCo 2:1) and the GNS/single-walled carbon nanotubes/Ni(OH)2 (20 wt%) composite had the maximum specific capacitance of 1149 F g–1. The specific capacitance and rate-capability of the CNT/MnO2/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites were improved as compared to the MnO2/RGO composites without CNTs. The MnO2/RGO composite containing 20 wt% CNT with reference to RGO exhibited the best specific capacitance of 208.9 F g–1 at a current density of 0.5 A g–1 and 77.2% capacitance retention at a current density of 10 A g–1.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of demineralized and particulate autogenous tooth, and interleukin-6 in bone regeneration. A demineralized and particulate autogenous tooth was prepared and human osteoblast-like cells (MG63) and human osteosarcoma cells were inoculated into the culture. The rate of cell adhesion, proliferation and mineralization were examined, and the appearance of cellular attachment was observed. An 8 mm critical size defect was created in the cranium of rabbits. Nine rabbits were divided into three groups including: An experimental group A (3 rabbits), in which a demineralised and particulate autogenous tooth was grafted; an experimental group B (3 rabbits), in which a demineralized, particulate autogenous tooth was grafted in addition to interleukin-6 (20 ng/mL); and a control group. The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks for histopathological examination with H-E and Masson’s Trichrome, and immunohistochemistry with osteocalcin. The cell-based assay showed a higher rate of cell adhesion, mineralization and cellular attachment in the experimental group A compared with the control group. The animal study revealed an increased number of osteoclasts, newly formed and mature bones in the experimental group A compared with the control group. Eventually, a higher number of osteoclasts were observed in the experimental group B. However, the emergence of newly formed and mature bone was lower than in the experimental group A. The current results suggest that treatment with demineralized and particulate autogenous tooth and interleukin-6 is not effective in stimulating bone regeneration during the bone grafting procedure.

Ficus carica L. (common fig), one of the first plants cultivated by humans, originated in the Mediterranean basin and currently grows worldwide, including southwest Asia and South Korea. It has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases as well as hemorrhoids and skin infections. Its pharmacological properties have recently been studied in detail, but research on the anti-cancer effect of its latex has been only been studied on a limited basis on several cell lines, such prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of the latex of Ficus carica L.and its underlying mechanism in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. (See Ed. note above) We confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis and gelatinolytic activity analysis that the latex of Ficus carica contains cysteine protease ficin. Our data showed that the latex inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the latex treatment markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells as determined by FACS analysis, elevated expression level of cleaved caspase-9, -3 and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and. increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic factor) while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic factor). Taken together, these results suggested that latex containing the ficin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by caspase and the Bcl-2 family signaling pathway in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. These findings point to the potential of latex of Ficus carica to provide a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

We present a study of the inexplicit connection between radio jet activity and γ-ray emission of BL Lacertae (BL Lac; 2200+420). We analyze the long-term millimeter activity of BL Lac via interferometric observations with the Korean VLBI Network (KVN) obtained at 22, 43, 86, and 129 GHz simultaneously over three years (from January 2013 to March 2016); during this time, two γ-ray outbursts (in November 2013 and March 2015) can be seen in γ-ray light curves obtained from Fermi observations. The KVN radio core is optically thick at least up to 86 GHz; there is indication that it might be optically thin at higher frequencies. To first order, the radio light curves decay exponentially over the time span covered by our observations, with decay timescales of 41185 days, 352±79 days, 310±57 days, and 283±55 days at 22, 43, 86, and 129 GHz, respectively. Assuming synchrotron cooling, a cooling time of around one year is consistent with magnetic field strengths B ∼ 2 μT and electron Lorentz factors γ ∼ 10 000. Taking into account that our formal measurement errors include intrinsic variability and thus over-estimate the statistical uncertainties, we nd that the decay timescale  scales with frequency τ ν - 0.2. This relation is much shallower than the one expected from opacity effects (core shift), but in agreement with the (sub-)mm radio core being a standing recollimation shock. We do not find convincing radio flux counterparts to the γ-ray outbursts. The spectral evolution is consistent with the `generalized shock model' of Valtaoja et al. (1992). A temporary increase in the core opacity and the emergence of a knot around the time of the second -ray event indicate that this γ-ray outburst might be an `orphan' are powered by the `ring of fire' mechanism.

HIV/AIDS is an important global issue in human rights and health. The United Nations Refugee Convention clearly addresses to guarantee healthcare rights to refugees at the same level as those provided to citizens. In Korea, the number of refugee applicants has surged since the enactment of the Refugee Act in 2012. Regarding human dignity and human rights, however, there are serious concerns that Korea’s healthcare laws and policies would not fully protect the right of foreigners who are suffering from financial hardship. This paper proposes the ways to improve healthcare equity by comparing the UNAIDS Guidelines to Korean policies on HIV-positive refugee applicants.

O/W emulsion is usually adopted to incorporate lipid-soluble bioactive molecules into water-based food systems. However, the emulsion system solely cannot protect the core compound through the storage period, especially in cases when the core is unstable to environmental stress factors. Wall materials such as maltodexrin and chelators such as EDTA-Na are added to improve the stability of core materials but excessive use of additives may be repulsive to consumers. In this study, water soluble fraction of the crude polysaccharide extracted from Enteromorpha prolifera, a type of green algae commonly found in the southern coast of Korean sea, was added to an O/W emulsion system containing retinol to improve storage stability through different modes of action; as a chelator of metal ions, as a scavenger of free radicals and as a wall material. The radical scavenging ability and chelating ability of E.prolifera polysaccharide were determined in solution state. Particle size, zeta potential and retinol retention rate were measured as stability markers in emulsion. Emulsion stability increased and then decreased as the amount of polysaccharide increased from 1 to 5 mg. This optimum concentration is much lower compared to that of conventional usage of wall materials, therefore less affecting the physical characteristics of emulsion while providing effective protection.